How To Enhance Brain Health

Seeing as we’ve already enjoyed such lively debate on the topic of caffeine, what about other
supplements you can use to enhance your energy levels and thus focus harder at work? Is
there anything you should consider taking in the mornings?

One option is modafinil.

This is a ‘nootropic’ or ‘smart drug’ enjoyed by some of the world’s most
well-known 1%ers. What’s amazing about this substance is that it can actually prevent you fromfeeling as though you need to sleep by subtly affecting your ‘orexin’ neurotransmitter. Originally, it was designed to help people overcome narcolepsy but today it is used by people like Dave Aspreyin order to work longer hours without feeling fatigued. So if you’re looking for a way to feel less tiredand more focussed and energetic for work, this will certainly do it!

Unfortunately though, modafinil is only available on prescription in most stats. And while this drugmight not have any known side effects, it needs a lot more study and research before wecansafely pronounce it as ‘safe’ for long term use. Fortunately though, there are plenty of other more natural ways to give your brain a bit of a kickand feel more awake and focussed for work as a result. Supplements for Boosting Brain Energy Creatine is a supplement used by bodybuilders and athletes to give them more energy in the gymand on the track. It works by allowing the body to recycle used ATP (ADP and AMP). ATP is adenosine triphosphate – three molecules bonded together which release energy when brokenapart to make ADP and AMP (adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate). In short, athree makes a two and a one. The body can use creatine, which is also produced naturally in theliver but supplementing can give us energy to make a few more lifts in the gym, or to run a littlefaster, a little further. And of course this also improves brain function and has been shown to provide additional improvements in memory and an overall IQ boost. Garlic meanwhile is a vasodilator. This means that it widens the blood vessels, which allows moreblood and oxygen to be delivered to the brain, providing yet more energy. Vinpocetine is a vasodilator that acts specifically in the brain and is also anti-inflammatory (brain inflammationis suspected by some to be responsible for mood disorders). Omega 3 fatty acid aids in the communication between neurons by improving cell membrane permeability (in other words, thecell walls let more nutrients and neurotransmitters pass through).

Coconut oil is another popular cognitive metabolic enhancer as it contains MCT oil – mediumchaintriglycerides. This type of fatty acid stimulates the liver to produce ketones immediately providingan alternative source of energy to carbohydrates for the brain (which the brain actually prefers for some functions). Also great are those nootropics and substances that improve cellular energy including energy for the brain cells. Some of the best include CoEnzyme Q10, Lutein, L-Carnitine and PQQ – thoughyoucan expect a marginal effect from all of these and it’s worth noting that simply adding some cardiotraining will likely be more efficient at increasing cellular energy rapidly. Now, if you combine these ingredients for breakfast, then you should find that you’re better ableto improve your energy levels and your focus throughout the day that follows!

Nutrients and Diet For Brain Health

What’s also crucial is to provide your brain with as many of the best nutrients as possible whichcansupport healthy and normal function beyond the average. Vitamin B6 for instance is used in thecreation of dopamine, serotonin and many other key neurotransmitters. Of course amino acids found proteins are also used in the creation of many neurotransmitters (tryptophan for instances a precursor to serotonin and melatonin), while zinc (which many of us are deficient in) modulates brain excitability, supports testosterone production and aids with neuroplasticity . Vitamin D helps regulate hormones and improves sleep, while many more vitamins andminerals play a range of other vital roles.

50 Ways to Overcome Shyness – Part 1

You can spend a lot of money on supplements and nutrients to try and enhance brain functionandthey will have some effect. But more effective and efficient is to get the same thing fromyour diet. This is why a nutrient dense diet is so important as stressed at the start of this book. Eat lots of organ meats and you will get your CoQ10 and PQQ. Eat lots of fish and you get the omega 3. The other important aspect of your diet is simply that you ensure you are eating enough. In other words, don’t start yourself – and try to eat frequently throughout the day.

Ideally, you’ll start with some form of ‘complex carb’ for breakfast. A complex carb is a carbohydrate that the body takes longer to absorb into the blood stream. This means you’re eatingsomething like oats rather than something like chocolate cereal or toast. By absorbing slowly, this ensures you’ll have a gradual supply of sugar throughout the day. Fats are similarly slow-releasingand that’s why an avocado is another great choice for breakfast. Start your day with these types of foods and you should find that you’re able to remain working vigilantly for long periods and without succumbing to fatigue. Another tip? Snack throughout the day! Don’t go long periods without food, as this will cause your body to use up its supply of sugar and your brain will start to get sluggish – you may also start tonotice yourself feeling anxious as a result. Keep fuelling yourself and you’ll avoid running on empty. So we’ve woken up naturally, had our hot beverage and now we need to have breakfast.

That should be:

• Nutrient dense
• Slow releasing to last us a long time
• Washed down with some cognitive metabolic enhancers
  Now we’re ready to go!